NEGATIVE AMERICANS

I've been frequently asked why I'm so negative about the economy. I could bore you with economic minutia, but these are a few key points that are largest contributing factors. I will start with the car stimulus as I grew up in the Detroit area and it's still near and dear to my heart. What has happened there saddens me more than you can imagine.

The recent car stimulus program "Cash for Clunkers" has (arguably) been a resounding success! 700,000 new cars were sold!

Yes, the argument can be made that the foreign car makers have assembly plants here in the U.S.- BUT- Do you realize where the profit from these cars goes? Not here. Now the national debt is growing to subsidize profitable foreign companies? Living in a country trillions in debt- debt owed to other countries (mostly China. I sure hope they don't decide to collect anytime soon or my socialism rants will be replaced with your communism rants and my I told ya so's)- I just don't understand how ANY ONE OF YOU could buy a foreign car. 1 in every 100 jobs in the United States is/was a direct result of the auto industry. It is YOU who is paying for the welfare unemployed, non skilled laborers are/will be collecting. It's coming out of our social security money as well- so quit bitching about people on social services and how you'll never see your social security money. You're spending it on a Camry. I won't go on a socialism rant at this very moment, but one is always close to the surface lately and NOT because of Obama- Because of Joe right wing American. Because of Helicopter Ben and his crew. Because of Diebold voting fraud. Beause of the piss poor way things are done here on a consistent basis.

In order the top sellers were:

Ford Focus. Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Ford Escape. Toyota Camry. Dodge Caliber, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, Chevy Cobalt

Top C4C trade in cars:

1998 Ford Explorer, 1997 Ford Explorer, 1996 Ford Explorer, 1999 Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee, 1995 Ford Explorer, 1994 Ford Explorer, 1997 Ford Windstar, 1999 Dodge Caravan

Initial clunkers legislation sponsored by Representative Betty Sutton, an Ohio Democrat, would have barred discounts for new vehicles manufactured overseas and offered higher payments for cars and trucks produced in the U.S. than for those made in Canada and Mexico. The “Buy American” provision was dropped from the final legislation because of opposition from foreign automakers and free-trade advocates who said it would conflict with U.S. obligations to the World Trade Organization.

As the cars being turned in are being destroyed, actually crushed - getting rid of the "clunkers", has made the base price of a used car higher than ever before ($5k). If we want to help the poor, why not give them these cars or sell them and make some of that tax money back? The new vehicles purchased tend to be sturdy and long lasting. How soon do you think these 'less than fortunate' people are going to buy another car? We've just set ourselves up with a glut of available cars for the next 10 yrs.

Yesterday I had the joyous experience of registering my 1 yr old car for the year. What cost me around $60 last year has now increased to $500. Starting Sept 1st reg. price is based on depreciation value of -10% each year (here in NV anyway). This of course is a higher number and does not coincide with the Kelley Blue Book value. So- the govt IS getting money back. Too bad. so sad for me it is from those of us who weren't even part of the program. Why not just write out checks to Japan and Korea?

I'm shocked that so many of my "smart" and "intelligent" cohorts don't/can't see the lies and "fuzzy math" being thrown around. It extends into every part of our economy- from car sales to packages of food with less contents and more air so they look the same. Nico Richter shows clearly how the housing numbers were altered to look positive by the powers that be: U.S. Existing Home Sales Data - ADJUSTED!

Jobless claims have stayed the same last month! GREAT NEWS! ...or is it? Could it be possible that those numbers are the same because hundreds of thousands of unemployment benefits ran out?

Green Day-American Idiot-Music Video

Vinny-Bob-O-Renno | MySpace Video

Thank you for reading and I hope you consider what I have just said.

THAT'S ALL

I LOVE THIS... That's all I wanted to say about it :)

DO YOU KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND?

I'm moving to a house. I've lived in LV for 10+ years and have finally decided to make it my permanent home. Needless to say commitment takes a long time for me! I've been very busy. Though the house is only 5 yrs old, it is a foreclosure (a lot of repairs). Thankfully there was no previous interior decorating. I've been able to make it mine from scratch. I will be back soon and updating on current topics of my -and I hope your- interest. My new house reminds me very much of a home in AGRESTIC. As I move on Wednesday- there will be no blogging out of me for a bit. I will be taking a break from sorting my life, placing items in tiny boxes and establishing my home base in a 2600 sq ft box.






Here is something for your amusement:

The Traveler IQ Challenge

My travel IQ is 109. I made it to level 11 on "World". There are many challenges. My personal worst was "Flags". I couldn't get past level 1! Let me know how you scored. This is a facebook application you can use with your friends on there. I like this sort of thing a lot- Do you?

I will be back to issues at and out of hand soon! :)

XOXO

UNPOPULAR

I've been hearing a lot of words thrown around lately. I'm by no means an economist. I understand the ideology of most world economies. I've not studied microeconomics as much as I'd like or intend to. I'm starting with a few definitions to clarify what I'm about to say. My opinion is not popular with my friends. Well, to be fair my friends haven't allowed me the luxury of explaining my views to them as they cut me off mid sentence with their opinions. It is, in fact SO unpopular that I discontinued ongoing conversations because my friends become hostile. Is their hostility misguided? Maybe my opinions are.

This post is very much "dummied down" as to write at length would bore you. I'm open to (and would appreciate) constructive conversation and criticism, but seriously, every time this subject is approached it's like slamming my face against a brick wall.

Here are some concise definitions:

• Capitalism - an economic system based on private ownership of capital.
• Socialism - a political theory advocating state ownership of industry
• Communism - a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership.
• Dictatorship - a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
• Fascism - a political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government (as opposed to democracy or liberalism)
• Democratic Socialism - is a description used by various socialist movements, tendencies, and organizations, to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation. The term is sometimes used synonymously with 'social democracy'.

It is possible to be one or many of these at the same time. For instance in China, Russia, North Korea,Laos, Vietnam and Cuba - Communism is the ruling party. They practice Socialism in an extreme way that some would even call Fascist and are considered Dictatorships.

Here is a list of a few Democratic Socialist countries- Canada, Australia, India, Austria, Denmark, Iran, Syria, Columbia, Albania, Sweden, England, Germany, France... most of Europe.

...and the U.S. We are not becoming Socialist. We are. We have been. The recent bank take overs and government ownership of General Motors (which I will get back to in a future post as I, a person raised in S.E. MI have a lot to say) are just the most recent signals. It's been going on a long long time, if not since the birth of our country. What do you think Social Security, medicare ,medicaid, military, police and fire departments are? All public works projects like TVA (things that brought us out of the last depression) are technically socialist. We all chip in and things like schools, hospitals, govt. buildings etc are built. Unfortunately, most Americans distort the word "Socialism" to mean something negative - spouting words like "Hitler", "Communism", "Facism" and "Castro".

I guess what I'm trying to say here is this- Please know what you are talking about before you throw around words and concepts you have no idea about. Do ANY of us really know how our country is run? I know this post is extremely simplified. The average person on the street can't name the Vice President, much less tell me how to feel about political ideology. 11 % of Americans can't even find America on a map!

As long as I have the ability to prosper and enjoy a quality, healthy life I really don't care what the economic term is. Labeling can be a dangerous thing.

I encourage any of you to discuss this as long as you will engage in conversation and not yell extreme left or right wing slogans at me.

THIS COIULD BE

THE creepiest thing I've ever seen!


RUBBER JOHNNY





Can you top it?

FEELING GOOD

This video was filmed in one take, with audio being recorded simultaneously with the film. The video features Nyle (www.nyleraps.com) and is produced by Last Pictures (www.last-pictures.com) and 194 Recordings (www.myspace.com/194recordings)



This is giving me an uplifting feeling. Something I can never get enough of. Thought I'd share. Hope it makes you feel the same.

Nyle "Let The Beat Build" from Nyle on Vimeo.

XOXO


I promise some actual written blogs of interest soon. I'm in a musical mood lately (which is good since I'm a musician lol)!

I KISSED A GIRL LAS VEGAS TOURISM PROMO

Ok, this isn't really a Las Vegas tourism video. It should be though. Better yet, It should be a promo for the Palms. They use the Palms distinctive avocado green limo. Craps at the Palms, Palms fantasy tower room, Ghostbar- all sorts of Palms promo going on here. It's pretty obvious the recording facility at the Palms was involved. There couple of the Maloof brothers featured. Also a yellow Ferrari (if not THE) like the one George Maloof drives. Other prominent locals? Some pretty famous poker players. Many shots of Daniel Negreanu hamming it up (don't forget to pray for his Mom- she is getting better finally!). Penn and Teller. Fremont Street. I'm sure you'll spot more people you recognize. If you enjoy L.V. you will love this. The scenery and general Vegas vibe is well done.


Katy Perry- BREAKING UP IN VEGAS

I'm not a huge Katy Perry fan. When I think of her I think of her hit "I Kissed a Girl". I'm not into people or their handlers stealing ideas. Come up with something new or at the LEAST word it differently! I like the original "I Kissed a Girl" by Jill Sobule. If you ever get the chance to see Jill Sobule live DO IT! She is fantastic. I just can't bring myself to post a Katy Perry video without posting Jill! This is pretty old and of poor quality. SEE HER LIVE! Maybe you will remember the song. I think she really does kiss girls. I like that about her. I'd kiss her. That's for sure. Bright boys and girls are hot!


Jill Sobule- I KISSED A GIRL
with Fabio